Taslima Nasreen Backs Sheikh Hasina’s Return
Bangladesh-born author Taslima Nasreen has called for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh and urged authorities to lift restrictions on the Awami League.
Taslima Nasreen Backs Hasina’s Return
Nasreen said Hasina should be allowed to return and participate in Bangladesh’s political process. She argued that banning the Awami League was undemocratic and that voters, rather than executive restrictions, should determine the party’s political future.
The exiled writer also raised concerns about the continued influence of religious fundamentalism and the protection of freedom of expression in Bangladesh. She said restoring democratic competition required all political parties to be permitted to function lawfully.
Nasreen’s comments followed her return to Kolkata after nearly two decades. She had left Bangladesh in 1994 after receiving threats over her writing and later departed Kolkata in 2007 amid protests against her work.
Awami League Ban Faces Criticism
Bangladesh banned the Awami League’s activities in May 2025 under anti-terrorism legislation. The measure was introduced by the former interim administration and remains in place under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government.
Authorities said the restrictions would continue while proceedings examined allegations against the party and its leaders over violence during the 2024 uprising.
Hasina’s government was removed after student-led protests and a deadly crackdown. A United Nations assessment said up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the unrest. The Awami League disputes allegations against its leadership and describes the cases as politically motivated.
Sheikh Hasina Plans Bangladesh Return
Hasina has lived in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024. She was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal.
The former prime minister has rejected the verdict and announced plans to return with senior party colleagues around December. Bangladesh’s government has said she would be arrested upon arrival and required to face the legal process.
Nasreen maintained that accountability should proceed through an impartial judicial system without excluding the Awami League from democratic politics.
